Home Depot faces OSHA fines

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Home Depot store in Chicago for two repeat and one serious alleged safety violations, including failing to remove damaged equipment from service and train employees on safety procedures. The company faces proposed penalties of $55,000.

The two repeat citations, with proposed penalties of $50,000, include failing to ensure that damaged and defective fall protection equipment was removed from service, and failing to remove powered industrial vehicles from service when defects were found. The Home Depot was cited for the same violations in 2007 and 2008 in Rochester, N.Y., and Chicago, respectively, according to OSHA.

The serious violation, which carries a $5,000 penalty, was issued for failing to maintain capacity plates on powered industrial vehicles. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The Home Depot has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.